 Nanyang Technological University, Thursday, 8 January 2009 - Hosts Nanyang Technological University (NTU) kicked off their 2009 IVP Women’s basketball tournament on a winning note when they thrashed Singapore Management University (SMU) 74-43 in their Group B match.
NTU forward Kalai celebrated her 23rd birthday in style by contributing 15 points to her team’s tally, including 10 points in the opening quarter.
When things remained delicately poised on court midway through the opening period, she launched an unstoppable eight-point blitz in just under two minutes, including two three-pointers, to hand control of the match to the hosts.
As she sat on the bench for a well-deserved breather in the second quarter, her teammate Jayne Tan carried on where she left off.
Her accurate shooting contributed 14 points in that period alone, including 12 outside the arc. She would eventually lead her team’s scoring charts with 21 points.
Also having an influential game for the hosts was Kathrin Bachmann. The centre’s prominent physical presence and composed play in defence and attack posed many difficulties for the SMU cagers.
Together with Kalai and Tan, she ensured her team remained in the driving seat throughout the game with 13 points.
 With the game almost secure, the trio were rested at the beginning of the final quarter as coach Ho Koon Teck used the opportunity to give his fringe players a run-out.
The under-strength line-up struggled to hold on to the lead as SMU briefly rallied with a 13-2 run.
Sensing the possibility of their opponent’s comeback, he sent on his three top scorers to regain control of the match.
They combined to score the last nine points of the match without reply in the final minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
Ho was aware the game was the perfect chance for the reserves to show what they can do against a weaker team.
He noted: “We know that the other team (SMU) are not that strong, so I told the girls to focus on what they need to do in the game."
“I was pleased that we performed just as I had expected them to and the bench players also had a chance to play."
“I called only one timeout today so that I could give those who have not yet featured a chance to play, something that might not happen in a tougher match."
“They tried hard, but not all showed they are ready as they committed turnovers which SMU took advantage. Thus I subbed them out with minutes to go to cool everybody down.”
Despite the win, Ho knows more have to be done if the young team is to progress further in the tournament.
“Our first goal is to reach the next stage (semi-finals). If every player plays to her potential, I am confident we can go far in the tournament."
“They need to work more on their defence and communication on and off-court. They also need to be more proactive in their offensive rebounds and show that they are hungry to fight for every ball.”
Kalai was pleased to have played her part in the victory on her special day: “I had a good game today and the team was very supportive of my efforts. The win is a very good start to our season.
She even half-jokingly remarked on her on-court birthday wish. “I myself would like to score 23 points today! But I chose to assist my teammates in helping them score.”
Rewarded with a birthday cake and a new pair of Nike sneakers, courtesy of her teammates, in post-match celebrations, she echoed her coach’s sentiments for the rest of the campaign.
“Although the road will not be easy as there will be tougher opponents in our group, we will try our best.
“We will need to work harder in future games, particularly box up more rebounds to have more chances of scoring.”
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